What was Washington, D.C. like in the 1960s? Take a look at our great posts with stories, people, photos, and history about the District from the sixties.
1967 Map of Unbuilt D.C. Highways
Why doesn't 395 cut through Washington, DC? This is the history of highways in DC.
The Kennedys at Camp David
This photo was taken on March 31st, 1963. It shows the whole Kennedy clan happily spending some time together at Camp David. Caroline is on top of the horse, while little John holds his mother’s hand....
Origin of the Term “Beltway Bandit”
Before the days of Booz Allen, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, the term ‘Beltway Bandit’ was applied to the nefarious behavior of a common area criminal — a true bandit if you will. Application of the term...
Proposed Southside Freeway in Arlington
Here’s an interesting proposal for the Southside Freeway in Arlington, which never came to be. This graphic is from The Washington Post printed on October 7th, 1960. That date, by the way, is when the famous Kennedy/Nixon...
Old Time Willard Hotel Room Service Menu
How cool is this find? We dug up this great old menu for the Willard Hotel’s room service at Discover DC History. Click on them for more details. This appears to be from the 1960s? Maybe...
1964 View of Rosslyn Skyline
This old photo is over 50 years old, showing what Rosslyn looked like from Georgetown in 1964. Source: Library of Congress
You Won’t See the Capitol Like This Ever Again
This photo of the Capitol Building from the 1960s is something you’ll never see again. The Capitol Dome under construction and a lot of cars parked out in front of it. Source:Â snipview.com
Aerial Views of the Navy Yard in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
This photo is an aerial view of the Navy Yard just a couple of months before President Kennedy was assassinated. Source: National Museum of the U.S. Navy Here’s another one from the 1970s. Source: National Museum...
Vietnam-Era Soldier’s Remains Found 30 years Later at 10th and E St. NW
Thanks to a tip from GoDCer John, we did some digging into the story of a soldier who disappeared from Ft. Myer in 1967. A few Google searches later and we came across the story of...
President Kennedy’s Gravesite Under Construction in 1965
This is a fascinating old photo from October 6th, 1965 at Arlington National Cemetery. The construction site shows what would eventually become JFK’s gravesite, the Eternal Flame. Source: Library of Congress
Film Footage of D.C. After 1968 Riots
Here is some really sad and devastating film footage that we dug up showing the city after the riots of 1968.
Photos of Columbia Heights After ’68 Riots
Here is a series of amazing photos that we came across on Flickr showing the 1968 riots in D.C. We’ve posted some stuff on the riots in the past, like this film clip, and these photos....
Never Built Three Sisters Bridge Across the Potomac
This is a story that is most likely unknown to the great majority of GoDCers. Long-time DC residents may remember the controversy over the bridge that was to be built, connecting Virginia and the District, right...
President Johnson and Opening Day 1967
We’re way late on this, but better late than never. This is a terrific photo shared with by old GoDC friend Phil. Thanks for sending this along Phil, and so sorry it took a little extra...
Argument Over Dog Ends in Fatal Shooting
Here’s a sad story that we dug up in The Washington Post from May 26th, 1969. An argument over a dog that bit a young boy ended in the fatal shooting of the son of the dog’s...
Beautiful 1960s Photos of Dulles Airport
Dulles Airport has an almost Mad Men like romanticism, even though these mobile lounges were a giant pain in the ass. The photo below is another angle in black and white of this photo we posted...
1968 War Over D.C. Interstate Highways
As you all know, D.C. is one of the only cities (if not the lone city) without an interstate highway cutting through the heart of it. I-395 makes its way all the way to New York...
Columbia Heights Building Boom Could Have Started in 1996
It’s not possible for one to argue that Columbia Heights has been catapulted to the epicenter of gentrification and real estate renaissance over the last decade. It’s certainly brought back economic life to a part of...